NRL Survey Part I: Coaches question push to increase use of technology

The NRL’s head and assistant coaches have given their views on the game’s biggest issues - and it’s fair to say opinions are far from unanimous.

NRL coaches are almost united in fixing the current contract madness plaguing the game.

NRL coaches have joined the chorus of frustrated rugby league fans calling for an end to the transfer madness that has marred the off-season.

In an exclusive poll conducted by The Daily Telegraph with NRL head coaches and assistants, to be revealed over the next two days, the overwhelming majority have supported action to end the contracting circus.

More than 30 coaches responded to the survey. Of those, nearly 80 per cent said the game needed to bring in transfer windows after an off-season in which more than a dozen NRL stars agreed to join rival clubs in 2023.

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The 2022 NRL coaches survey/

The Daily Telegraph understands they also failed in a bid to sign Storm youngster Jack Howarth, a rising star who has since signed an extension to stay in Melbourne.

Parramatta was also picked apart as Reed Mahoney, Marata Niukore, Isaiah Papali’i and Ray Stone signed deals with rival clubs for 2023.

The NRL has been exploring the potential for transfer windows for some time and while they seemingly have the backing of the coaches, they would need the support of the players and their union to make it happen.

The good news is that Rugby League Players’ Association chief executive Clint Newton said he would be willing to listen to any proposals from the coaches.

“There has been no further discussion on it outside of initial conversations over the last couple of years, but we’ll maintain an open mind,” Newton said.

“There are several questions for coaches, starting with what does a transfer window actually look like?

NRL coaches are almost united in fixing the current contract madness plaguing the game.

“Is it for just players in the final year of their current contract? Can a player on a multi-year deal put themselves up or can only clubs decide? When do players go into the window?

“It is great to have an understanding that coaches see a transfer window as an opportunity for change but so many questions remain ­unanswered.

“How does it benefit the game without dissolving the rights of the players and their ability to operate in a free ­labour market?

“All of that needs to be ­answered, all the while still agreeing to the current ­restraints of a salary cap.

“We would love to get a collective position from the coaches and work through it together given the respect we have for them and how ­important they are to the game.”

The coaches were divided on the use of technology for forward passes, an option that the NRL is investigating.

They were in agreement, however, over the bunker with 100 per cent of those polled saying its powers should not be expanded.

Significantly, they indicated there was a disconnect between head office and the coaching ranks – 71 per cent said they were not consulted enough by the NRL.

“It is never good when key stakeholders like coaches feel like they are not being consulted,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“Clearly we need to address it, if that is how they feel. I am somewhat surprised because our football team did a very comprehensive process at the end of last year in terms of end-of­football-season reviews where all the coaches, GMs of football and other club delegates were invited to give quite meaningful feedback.

“That is what ultimately made its way up to the commission. We certainly have respect for and really value the views of coaches.

“So if they don’t feel like they are being supported and they don’t feel like they are being consulted enough, that is something we need to work on.

“But it is certainly not that we are deliberately not doing it. I know previously we had the coaches meeting once a year so maybe we need to think about the right mechanism and right forum to allow them to provide their feedback.”

Originally published as NRL Survey Part I: Coaches question push to increase use of technology